TPT January 2018

I NDUS T RY

Nor th America’s premier tube trade show FABTECH 2017, North America’s largest metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing event, hosted more than 1,700 exhibiting companies and a total of 44,935 attendees from 120 countries at Chicago’s McCormick Place venue. Tech Talks’ given by visionary leaders, the unveiling of the Albert Paley-Jesse James metal sculpture project and the popular annual Industry Night event, held at Soldier Field. focus delved into the effect the industry’s transformation would have on ensuring companies are able to hire the right talent. FABTECH also unveiled a new logo and brand identity for the FABTECH series of events on the last day of the show.

The advanced processes driving manufacturing’s continued transfor- mation were on display at the event. Hundreds of live product demonstrations showcased the most innovative new technologies, giving attendees a glimpse into the industry’s future. Several of FABTECH’s most attended education events also covered advanced technologies, such as automation/smart manufacturing and robotics. Conventional topics such as stamping and lasers also looked at how these new technologies can be implemented to improve traditional operations. The workforce development

With more than 750,000ft 2 of exhibit space, FABTECH provided attendees with access to the industry’s leading companies, latest innovations and insight into current and future trends. The four-day expo included the most extensive education programming in its history as well as a lineup of expert-led panels and keynote presentations. The expo also put on special events that attracted large audiences, featuring topics such as workplace collaboration, innovation and creativity. Highlights included a new keynote format, ‘FABx

With its more modern look, the new logo better conveys the current and future direction of FABTECH. FABTECH is North America’s largest collaboration of technology, equipment and knowledge in the metal forming, fabricating, welding and finishing industries. The event provides a hands-on, face- to-face business growth platform.

FABTECH 2017 – USA Website: fabtechexpo.com

New managing director and CTO at battenfeld-cincinnati

he joined a plastics blow-moulding machine manufacturer, first as project leader for automation technology, then as manager of electrical engineering and CTO. From 2009 to 2017 he was the managing director responsible for technology and sales of machinery and equipment. He completed further studies while in employment with an MBA from WU Vienna in 2005. Dr Wieczorek has been responsible for product development, product management and the technical lab in Vienna sinceSeptember 2017. Following his studies in plastics technology at Montanuniversität Leoben, he worked at the local Plastics Processing Institute as a university assistant and research associate. He was subsequently employed by a number of Austrian industrial companies, in roles that encompassed process technology, R&D and project management, and finally as CTO. battenfeld-cincinnati Austria GmbH – Austria Fax: +43 61006 8 Website: www.battenfeld-cincinnati.com

NFC processing equipment,” said Gerold Schley, CEO of BC Extrusion Holding. “For the general and technical management of the facility, we have found two managers with excellent references from the plastics industry to drive the further development of our products and of the facility.” Following Mr Schwarz’s graduation in electrical engineering from TU Vienna,

JOHANNES Schwarz MBA has become the managing director of battenfeld- cincinnati Austria, in Vienna, Austria. The company’s new CTO, Dr André Wieczorek, has been in office since September 2017. “Vienna is the battenfeld-cincinnati competence centre for PVC processing with its main focus on pipe, profile and board extrusion lines as well as WPC/

Managing director Johannes Schwarz

Dr André Wieczorek, CTO

18

www.read-tpt.com

JANUARY 2018